Blueberries continue to account for the largest share of berries imported from India, with origins from the US, Chile, Peru and Poland gaining popularity in both fresh and frozen formats, he says. Manish Kumar Sharma, importer-exporter of Best Fruit based in New Delhi. He notes that this season's quality has remained consistent so far, although prices are slightly higher due to air transport and harvest issues, especially in the U.S.

Peru and Chile supply nine out of every ten blueberries imported to India, a dominance Kumar attributes to their size, sweetness, and shelf life. "Poland and the US are important sources, and Polish berries are gaining ground thanks to their competitive prices and improved market access," he adds.

Sharma also highlights the interest in sourcing from new origins in Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine: "Mexico offers excellent blueberries with a long shelf life, while South Africa has great potential for raspberries. Ukraine is also emerging with quality frozen berries at competitive prices," he notes. "However, challenges with transportation, a lack of direct supply networks, phytosanitary approvals, and inconsistent cold chain infrastructure in India have slowed progress," he explains.

Smaller package formats are making blueberries more affordable and accessible for consumers, Sharma says. She notes that frozen blueberry packages are also gaining popularity for everyday use in smoothies, desserts, and baked goods. "The foodservice sector, particularly the hospitality and bakery industries, is emerging as a growth channel with significant potential, with a strong interest in incorporating blueberries into their offerings."

With the Indian festival and wedding season approaching, we anticipate strong demand for berries for gifting and home consumption. If international suppliers can work closely with Indian importers to manage tariffs, ensure cold chain capacity, and maintain quality, India could see a much larger presence of imported berries in the next 12 months, Sharma concludes.